Of late, electric vehicles are in the news and the common perception is that they do not pollute the environment. Yes, at the point of use, the air pollution will reduce. But one must not forget that the electricity used to charge the vehicle is produced by power plants in India, mostly thermal meaning coal.
If we go by government’s logic that if you want electricity you must bear the coal dust, then should EVs be banned in Goa?
Our goal must be to reduce the carbon footprint in India. EVs will use LEDs because of low power consumption. These LEDs, while mercury free, contain lead mostly in the red ones while the white ones contain nickel -- both responsible for allergies.
EVs also come with the requirement of proper care in handling and disposal of the batteries.
In Goa, we see many incidents of vehicles ‘spontaneously catching fire’. We have no clue of the reason despite the standard ‘short circuit theory’.
Current fuel based vehicles actually generate less pollution than thermal plants. EVs will only increase the pollution.
